Tarah's big chance to show she can dance

Tarah Scott will fly the flag for the Illawarra on national TV. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER

So You Think You Can Dance - to most it is just another reality TV show to slot into nightly viewing, but for Tarah Scott, it is a challenge she has spent most of her life answering.

Ms Scott will be introduced to a national audience this weekend, showing off her skills as the TV talent show phenomenon begins its new season on Channel 10 on Sunday night.

Aged 19, the Mount Ousley resident spent a whole week living and breathing dance and performance in a Sydney camp as part of the show's main round of contestants.

"We woke up early every day, and stayed out late all night doing challenges and performing for the judges," she said.

"It was hard, but probably the best week of my life."

As part of the show's top 100, Ms Scott spent the week trying to impress judges enough to progress further into the competition. Exposure is everything in the highly competitive world of dance, and a good showing in such a high-profile slot could be the key to a successful career as a dancer.

"I've been doing dancing all my life, so it was almost a given that I would audition for the show," she said.

It is far from Ms Scott's first notable appearance. At 19 years of age, her resume includes credits in film clips for superstars Ricky Martin, The Wanted and Redfoo, while she also performed as a backup dancer for Jess Mauboy at the NRL grand final last year.

Modelling slots for Girlfriend magazine, Westfield fashion parades and a cameo in Puberty Blues also take pride of place in her portfolio, and with such a strong showing despite her young years, she has no plans to let go of her dream.

"I'm going to uni this year studying marketing and commerce, but I will be studying part-time to fit in everything else outside.